CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: Adidas Response 3-Stripes

Adidas Response 3-Stripes Long Sleeve Tee and Long Tights put to the test indoors and outdoors.

CLIMALITE® fabric is designed to sweep sweat away from your skin. It uses a moisture-wicking fabric that leaves skin dry and comfortable. The running tights keep you sweat-free, carry your music, and are easy to take on and off even when you're all sweaty and hot.. in theory. The top is slim fit so supposed to flatter and the tights are fitted for the same reason. Looking through my workout wardrobe I tend to wear t-shirts and tank tops with 3/4 length trousers or shorts so I am not too sure how well this outfit will go down...

So I have the navy tights and bright neon yellow tee to test. I felt a bit silly in the top until I put both items on. I was so comfortable and warm that I didn't really care about the colours! Plus I need to stop wearing black and dark colours when I run early in the morning as it's usually still dark when. Both items were so soft and felt so light that when I set off on my 7am run I felt pretty good. The trousers are so elasticated that you have a lot of freedom, it's just like another layer of skin! As soon as I was outside I was pretty skeptical as there was frost on the cars but both the top and the trousers kept me warm and dry. I did my usual route but managed to run longer as normally I get cold and hot and can't stop thinking about a hot shower. I think it must be the warmth and the freedom of movement that the clothes gave me because I ran an extra mile than usual and still made it to work on time.

A week later I tried the outfit at the gym. On the treadmill both items worked well and they kept me at quite a nice temperature. I was slightly warmer than but in a good way as the air con was blasting so I was able to go a lot harder than usual. I then tried them out whilst doing weights and kettlebell swings and got a bit carried away and went pretty hard core again. Stretching out at the end was great because of the warmth and the fact that I was sweat-free so I stayed and stretched. Normally I go home and stretch there but I was so comfortable I couldn't resist!

Best bit - it's so warm and keeps you dry.
Worst bit - nothing!
Good for - comfort, movement, warmth when training 
Score - 9/10

If you want me or any of the Fitness Freak team to take on a challenge from your brand or class - email me at BootyBlogger@fitness-freak.com Iʼm happy to be your guinea pig!

UNDERCOVER: FITTER LONDON

You know when you book into a Saturday morning class and as soon as your alarm goes off on Saturday you regret it? Well that didn't happen to me. I'd e-mailed Matt at Fitter London at the beginning of the week and he told me to just turn up to class and that there was no need to book. I had heard from the Fitness Freak team that I was in for an intense class. I still wasn't dreading it. I woke up before my alarm so ate my breakfast then strolled to the tube. I was pretty excited, despite being slightly fueled by last nights' cocktails.

I found the Fitness First where the classes are held. It wasn't until I queued up outside the studio where the previous Fitter London class was happening (10.30am circuits) that the fear began. The room was full of sweaty people working ridiculously hard. They were smiling and having fun but I instantly wanted to kick myself for the extra couple of cocktails last night, no matter how fun they were! On Saturday mornings Fitter London's classes happen at Fitness First. Very easy to find and the gym has  nicest front of house staff I've met in a long time. Very friendly and really helpful. The first class is free and you don't have to book. But don't let that put you off or worry you because the studio is a good size and there is plenty of equipment for both the 10.30 and 11.30 class so you will get in. 




                    

The instructor, Matt, was really thorough and helped the newbies with technique but also made sure to push the regulars. I was told the format of the class changes on a weekly basis but that they work on lots of glute activation and abs/lower back. Which is perfect for me as I know my glutes can get lazy. The class also seems to target that under bum bit that appears when you've treated yourself to too many cakes... In the class itself we used giant kettlebells. Not the pretty, colourful ones I was used to. The weights are the same but they look like Russian weightlifting kettlebells. So I felt pretty awesome swinging them around. We partnered up and took turns to perform reps of different exercises. Whilst your partner is doing one exercise, you do another. The sections were between 5-8 minutes long so having a partner really helped you push yourself, as you knew you had to switch with them soon. 

The class is different to any other kettlebell class I have taken before. I have never been in a class where so much attention is paid to the muscles that people don't know how to active. At the end of the class lay on mats and used the kettlebells to work on our arms, abs and backs and I could really feel everything engage properly. As a result I was able to challenge myself and use a heavier weight (when Matt passed it to me I thought he was mad, but I survived!). I absolutely loved the class. It was hard core and really works on endurance as well as strength. On Sunday morning when I woke up even my forearms ached, so you know it was a good class. I really want to try the circuit class next and think I may become a regular.

Best bit... The intensity of the workout

Worst bit...Not being able to book

Good for..abs, arms, glutes, thighs

UNDERCOVER: POWERTONE STUDIO

When I think of power plates I think of burning and sweating to hard core music. Quite often being shouted at (in an encouraging way) to keep going and trying really hard to enjoy the burn comes to mind too. Powertone studio is far from that image. Don't get me wrong, I did feel the burn, it was just in a far calmer environment!

The studio is a quick walk from Moorgate station in a block full of physio and sports related offices. The studio itself is a tranquil place on the top floor so you get a good warm up just making your way there! It has 4 machines so the classes are nice and small and I could tell that everyone in my class and the classes before and after were regulars because they had a really laid back feel.  

The class itself was quite intense but set to quiet music so you could actually hear the instructor and concentrate on what he was telling us to focus on as well as the burn. Weirdly enough it was quite relaxing too although I was burning and sweating it really helped me unwind after work. It was unlike any power plate class I've done before because although a lot of the exercises were the same as other class I've previously taken and just as intense something about the atmosphere made the burn much easier to handle so minute exercises were flying by. 

All the instructors are personal trainers and so are great at giving specific exercises to different clients in class to target specific areas/help you reach your goals. I happen to take a class taught by one of the owners so I can confidently say it is a fun and friendly studio that cares about its clients, you don't feel like another faceless customer. There are studios all round London and the first class is free so if you want to check out the studio and see what I mean by a relaxed, intense power plate class then you have no excuses (apart from the City studio being shut at weekends.)

Best bit... the atmosphere

Worst bit... walking up all of the stairs

Good for... glutes, abs, arms, thighs

UNDERCOVER: PEDAL STUDIO

The Fitness Freak team know about all new studio openings in London. They’re just on the ball like that which works well for me as I’m the one that gets to check them all out. I was fortunate to be sent along to the brand new spinning studio in Wimbledon on a Friday morning for a very special class with Jennifer Sage, a world renowned Spinning instructor who had come over from Colorado especially for the studio launch day. Yes it was an early morning but with a rep like she has I just had to drag my butt out of bed to be put through my paces. The class was very different to any ‘spin’ class I have done before. It is taught in a very specific way which credited to the ‘spinning’ format or teaching. No press ups or bouncing around on the bike, just cycling and working with the resistance dial. So I got a pretty full on intense leg burn throughout and I loved it!

Pedal Studio in Wimbledon is the second studio opening under the Pedal studio umbrella. A brilliant concept… spinning bikes in a room that you can book and ride 1 hour slots from 6am to 9pm every day. My favourite part about this whole concept is that you have the option to use a heart rate monitor and watch your heart rate on the screen throughout the class. You can also track your performance against other class participants, and I’m going to be honest this is where my competitive streak comes out. It’s great motivation. The studio is on the third floor of a fitness filled building in residential Wimbledon. When I say fitness-filled, I mean that there is also bikram yoga and reformer Pilates in the same room. What a great combo…

After this particular class, there was a lovely breakfast put on in the bikram yoga social area. It was a great chance to network, learn more about the class offerings and how the studio idea came about! I nearly forgot to mention that we left with a goodie bag! So all in all I had a fab, guilt-free start to the morning!


Best bit… Jennifer Sage, I now love her!
Worst bit… nothing!
Good for… fat burning and working yourself hard.

UNDERCOVER: TOTAL BOXER

Fit to fight bright and early on a Saturday morning? I booked myself in after I'd bought my blender and decided to get my butt kicked into shape as I had definitely been slacking. When my alarm went off I definitely regretted my decision! However once I'd dragged myself out of bed, had my morning green tea and saw that the sun was shining I felt a hell of a lot better. Conveniently for me the gym is based a 10 minute leisurely paced walk from my house. 

It is a small studio right by Hornsey Post office that the owner used to rent out as a photography studio. The gym floor is equipped with punch bags, mirrors and a square taped in the middle. It's got a great boutique feel. I loved that there were boxing posters on the walls and a fight playing on mute to really get us in the mood. The class wasn't your average boxing fit class, I learnt technique and understood why I was punching in certain positions so by the end I didn't just feel like I'd worked hard and sweated, I had a feeling of accomplishment!

A pet peeve of mine is being in a class whether I'm a newbie or not and not being explained or shown the technique required. I like to know what I'm doing and why, especially if it's something like boxing. The instructor was very thorough but not in an annoying way. Whilst the regulars were doing the usual skipping rope warm up (hello Rocky) he was going through the basics with me. 'If I try and punch you in the head you have to duck' not that bluntly, in a funny way... You get the jist!

I know that Sandra Bullock and other stars kickbox and doing boxing workouts to stay in shape and I assure you, doing this class on a weekly basis will really help you get fit and tone up. We did sessions on the floor practising punches and the different techniques, punching the punch bags and hitting pads. I love it, especially when Rage Against the Machine, Foofighters and Queens of the Stone age, I felt pretty kick-ass! I am definitely going to add a bit of Rage to my gym workout soundtrack, they definitely got me pumped up. I didn't realise how much I would use my abs. The whole time boxers are doing fast footwork or punching they have to say centred so it was a pretty full on ab, leg and arm workout.

One of my favourite things about the gym is how personal it is. It's a small space and it just so happened that in my class there was only one other person so we got a very focused class which was great as I was a first timer. But all the classes are apparently like that. Often there are two instructors in a class to make sure everyone gets attention and pushed to work hard which I think is great. Glasses and water were put out too so that during the breaks between drills (I guess I'll call them) we could hydrate. Another great thing is that the owner has the cutest dog who just hangs around, stays out of your way but adds to the laid back, friendly atmosphere. 

Best bit...the studio and extra attention to detail for the clients
Worst bit...nothing 
Good for...feeling great, cardio and fun!

UNDERCOVER: KICKBOXX

From the moment I went on the website and saw the video I knew that I was going to worked hard whatever class I booked into! I chose the beginners class after a conversation with their receptionist as I don't have much kickboxing. I was a little bit worried that it wouldn't be intense but I was assured that it would still kill me but that it would contain less advanced combinations... they were right!
I got to the studio and was waved up by the instructor. I love the interior of the whole building (annoyingly I forgot to take a picture and can't find one online, sorry!). Aaand the toilets were lovely and clean! I feel very strongly about good shower and toilet facilities and Kickboxx definitely ticks the box.

The class was quite small but everyone there was very friendly and I could tell that they were regulars so it had a really relaxed feel. We started the class running laps of the studio and doing press ups at each end. After this we stretched. By this point I was ready to get punching things! The class was split into sections, these were then repeated but with different exercises.  We started with combinations on the floor followed by what I like to call 'attacking the punch bag' with variations of the combos we'd just learnt. To split up the sections were exercises done for one or two minutes these was ridiculously hard! I had just used up all of my energy punching and kicking and then I had to do press ups, hold the plank position and punch the bad with one hand arrgghh (in a good way!).

When it came to attacking the punch bag, I loved it! It's great because you can apply as much force as you like so it really is one of those you get out what you put in type of classes. The first time on the punch bag I was a bit ropey. My pulse was racing and I was getting to the panting stage but with Jay-Z blaring and the instructor's encouragement I somehow got through it. I'm not sure where the energy came from but I was literally working as hard as I could for the whole class. I was in total outdoor bootcamp mode and definitely felt at the end of the class that I had punch, kicked and sweated enough to have earnt myself a lot of cocktails that evening!

The class is a great combination of kickboxing and a bootcamp class AND it's fun! I've already recommended the class to my house mates and friends and I suggest that everyone in and near the Crouch end area tries it. Your first class is free so you really have no excuse. The class will push you to your limits in that way cross country running used to at school, although somehow it is enjoyable!

Best bit... attacking the punch bag!

Worst bit... the gloves, if you don't have your own you can borrow but as with everywhere they are a bit smelly.

Good for...Toning and stretch

UNDERCOVER: TEMPO PILATES

Tempo Pilates is Pilates set to music. It's Covent Garden branch is in Gymbox and as I've said before Gymbox is like a night club and although TP is separate I was very excited about the whole Tempo Pilates experience!

In my mind I was expecting it to either be Pilates exercises and sequences choreographed to music, like a dance on a reformer bed (!), or Pilates exercises to booming music. It was a mixture of both. The songs are chosen to fit the exercises/pace and stage of the class. In the studio you don't hear the pumping music from Gymbox, just the great soundtrack. I love Pilates but I have to say some classes I come out feeling like I worked hard but not too intensely throughout. After this class I knew that I had worked every muscle in my body from the start. Within the first 15minutes I was shaking and I have to say it is a good job the music is there because it definitely helped me push through and enjoy it!

When I was booking the class online, before paying, I was taken to the deals page. I loved this as it meant that the class was only £10 as I was a first timer. Annoyingly I had to book a 45 minute class in order to fit it into my lunch break but I wanted more! The classes aren't divided into level but the teacher, Gina, adapted exercises for the beginners and more advanced people in the class. She also explained everything really clearly so the class still moved quickly. Lunch times tend to attract beginners apparently so if you're more advanced I'd head to a morning or evening class. However I felt the burn, got the shakes and definitely sweated so any class would work!

Best bit... feeling the burn to the music

Worst bit... wanted more! I should have booked an hour class

Good for...bums, thighs, arms, abs

UNDERCOVER: Vibration enhances exercise. Good Vibes

So, everyone keeps banging on about power plates, and how they give you have a really intense workout in half the time. Sold! Less time, better results….music to my ears.

Turns out there are loads of places you can do a free trial, but then it does become quite expensive if you like it a lot and want to go every day. But I’m not one to ever turn down a freebie, so I hopped on down to the glow studios in Covent Garden for a class.

The class involves a succession of 1 minute poses or moves, on the plate.  For example, 1 minute of squats, then another minute of push ups.  The vibrations are pretty intense (think washing machine on spin cycle) but you get used to that pretty quickly.  And the vibration does mean that you have to work harder to hold each pose, and you can feel your core muscles tense to help out with your balance. Having said that, I didn’t feel the burn very much the next day.

The class was led by a lovely chappy, and there were only 3 of us (I think the maximum is 6) so it was intimate and there was no room for slacking! The instructor could have explained the moves in a little more detail as I was a newbie, and the other two were clearly pros, but there wasn’t anything too taxing, and he demonstrated most moves first.

All in all, it was quick and easy, and would be a great way of squeezing in some exercise if you struggle to drag yourself to the gym.

And p.s…..sitting down on the plate for the bum stretches is not for the faint hearted or easily embarrassed!

********

Best bit – quick and a small class

Worst bit – daggy music & couldn’t feel it the next day

Good for – a quick fix on the way to work or in your lunch break. Something is ALWAYS better than nothing.

Score – 7/10

Good Vibes Covent Garden

14 – 16 Betterton Street

London WC2H 9BU

TIME: Every 30 mins at peak times of the day

COST: free trial, and then an average of approx £16 a class after that.

Lovely studios, small but clean changing rooms with free posh moisturiser and lockers.  The receptionist was also really cheery and friendly.